title: An examination of smoking behavior and opinions about smoke-free environments in a large sample of sexual and gender minority community members.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this study is to more completely quantify smoking rate and support for smoke-free policies in private and public environments from a large sample of self-identified sexual and gender minority (SGM) populations.
  
  
  METHODS
  A targeted sampling strategy recruited participants from 4 Missouri Pride Festivals and online surveys targeted to SGM populations during the summer of 2008. A 24-item survey gathered information on gender and sexual orientation, smoking status, and questions assessing behaviors and preferences related to smoke-free policies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The project recruited participants through Pride Festivals (n = 2,676) and Web-based surveys (n = 231) representing numerous sexual and gender orientations and the racial composite of the state of Missouri. Differences were found between the Pride Festivals sample and the Web-based sample, including smoking rates, with current smoking for the Web-based sample (22%) significantly less than the Pride Festivals sample (37%; p < .0001). The SGM group (n = 2,162) was 1.49 times more likely to be current smokers compared with the study's heterosexual group (n = 436; p = .005). Statistically fewer SGM racial minorities (33%) are current smokers compared with SGM Whites (37%; p = .04). Support and preferences for public and private smoke-free environments were generally low in the SGM population.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The strategic targeting method achieved a large and diverse sample. The findings of high rates of smoking coupled with generally low levels of support for smoke-free public policies in the SGM community highlight the need for additional research to inform programmatic attempts to reduce tobacco use and increase support for smoke-free environments.
authors.affiliation: Family and Community Medicine Department, University of Missouri, MA 306 Medical Science Building, Columbia, MO 65212, USA. mcelroyja@health.missouri.edu
authors.forename: Jane A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: McElroy
authors.forename: Kevin D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Everett
authors.forename: Isabella
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Zaniletti
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008913:Minority Groups / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008923:Missouri / Q000453:epidemiology; D011634:Public Health / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D011639:Public Opinion; D011640:Public Policy; D019529:Sexuality / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution